The court ruled following the filing by the prefect of Isère of a “secularism referral” demanding the suspension of this controversial measure. The new swimming pool regulations, carried by the majority of the ecological mayor of Grenoble Eric Piolle, were initially to come into force on June 1.

The court notes that the article in question allows users to “derogate from the general rule of the obligation to wear close-fitting outfits to allow certain users to free themselves from this rule for religious purposes”, and its authors thereby “seriously undermined the principle of public service neutrality”.

The principle of the prefecture’s request had been announced on May 15, on the eve of the examination by the Grenoble city council of a new regulation in municipal swimming pools opening the door to the burkini but also to topless bathing. for women and anti-UV swimsuits for everyone.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin immediately welcomed this “excellent news” on Twitter.

“Following our appeal, the administrative court suspends the deliberation of the town hall of

The judges in summary proceedings rendered their judgment in the evening after having heard for about an hour and a half the arguments of the various parties, the prefecture of Isère on the one hand, the City of Grenoble, the controversial association Alliance Citoyenne and the League of Human Rights on the other hand, during a hearing held earlier in the afternoon.